Superb Rovers power past Jags into cup final Championship Partick outclassed by flying Fifers

Super Rovers were magic in Maryhill as they deservedly claimed their place in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup final.

And the way things are going these two sides will be swapping divisions at the end of the season,

League One leaders Rovers were simply too good for the Championship’s bottom club,

They were two up through Kyle Benedictus and Regan Hendry before a late Lewis Mansell goal made things a little sticky but they were worthy winners.

It had been a slow start from both sides but the tie exploded with two yellow cards in quick succession.

Ross Mathews went in late on James Penrice in 11 minutes and Rovers were worried at first when Alan Newlands brought out a red card.

But it was a mistake and he showed the midfielder a yellow.

Three minutes later Stuart Bannigan got his own back with a heavy challenge on Matthews, escaping with a booking.

Rovers were a bit fortunate not to go behind in 23 minutes when they were carved open.

Penrice hit a great long pass to send Reece Cole racing down the right. He slipped the ball forward to Alex Jones who teed up Brian Graham but Iain Davidson made a brilliant block on his shot.

The trickery of former Raith winger Joe Cardle had Rovers in trouble 60 seconds later, but he slipped at the vital moment and blasted his shot over the bar.

The Fifers , though, took the lead with their first effort on goal in 31 minutes.

Kieron Bowie won a corner when Tam O’ware diverted his low cross behind. Dylan Tait drove the ball over and Kyle Benedictus rose brilliantly to send the ball into the net.

Rovers were superb in the second half. Scott Fox made two sensational saves in the space of a minute to keep out the Fifers. He brilliantly blocked Hendry’s left-foot shot with his leg in 61 minutes then somehow he threw up his left hand to save John Baird’s shot after Hendry set him up.

Matthews’ header bounced up and on to the bar after Baird had crossed from the right.

Thistle were then killed off in 74 minutes when Rovers deservedly grabbed their second goal,

The defence was a mess as Steven Maclean set up Hendry and he placed a left-foot shot past Fox.

Thistle got a goal back in 82 minutes when Mansell headed home Cardle’s cross, then sub Mitch Austin hit the post with two minutes remaining

But Rovers claimed their spot and will face either Inverness or Rangers under20s who play tomorrow.

Partick: Fox, O’connor, Saunders, O’ware, Penrice, Cole (Austin 69), Gordon, Bannigan, Cardle (Robson 88), Jones (Mansell 59), Graham.

Not used: Sneddon, Mackinnon. Raith: Thomson, Mackay, Davidson, Benedictus, Macdonald, Hendry, Tait (Spencer 63), Matthews, Baird (Dingwall 76), Bowie (Armstrong 75), Maclean.

Not used: Munro, Miller, Anderson, Watson. Ref: Alan Newlands.

Pictures: SNS. Regan Hendry, number 8, scores Raith’s second goal during last night’s quarter-final against Partick Thistle.

Regan Hendry celebrates his winning goal with the Raith supporters.